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Design Review Board

Level 1: Minor alteration of an existing building/structure

2-B-15-DT

The following improvements are proosed for the existing bridge over World's Fair Park: widening of existing sidewalk with pavers, addition of precast concrete planters and benches, restriping of bridge lanes to include bike lanes and one car lane in each direction. New lane striping transitions back to existing configuration at east and west intersections.

The curb extension will be on both sides of the road and include 1'-10.5" of pavers and 6" curbs. The curb extensions will have returns (or notches) at all existing stormwater grates. The existing sidewalks are 6'-4" on the north side and 7' on the south side. New 36' diameter concrete planters will be located as shown in the attached plans and will straddle the existing sidewalk and the new extension. Where these are located the sidewalk will be reduced in width approximately 1'-4", providing a 5' clear path on the north sidewalk and 5'-8" clear path on the south side.

New precast concrete benches will be installed periodically as shown on the attached plans. The planters adjacent to the benches will have tall plantings/small trees. Other planters will have low plantings.

The bike lane will be 4'-1" wide and the travel lanes will be 11' wide. The current road consists of one west bound travel lane (approximately 13' wide) and two east bound travel lanes (inside lane appoximately 10' wide and outside lane approximately 12' wide).

Clinch Avenue Viaduct
Applicant Request
The following improvements are proosed for the existing bridge over World's Fair Park: widening of existing sidewalk with pavers, addition of precast concrete planters and benches, restriping of bridge lanes to include bike lanes and one car lane in each direction. New lane striping transitions back to existing configuration at east and west intersections.

The curb extension will be on both sides of the road and include 1'-10.5" of pavers and 6" curbs. The curb extensions will have returns (or notches) at all existing stormwater grates. The existing sidewalks are 6'-4" on the north side and 7' on the south side. New 36' diameter concrete planters will be located as shown in the attached plans and will straddle the existing sidewalk and the new extension. Where these are located the sidewalk will be reduced in width approximately 1'-4", providing a 5' clear path on the north sidewalk and 5'-8" clear path on the south side.

New precast concrete benches will be installed periodically as shown on the attached plans. The planters adjacent to the benches will have tall plantings/small trees. Other planters will have low plantings.

The bike lane will be 4'-1" wide and the travel lanes will be 11' wide. The current road consists of one west bound travel lane (approximately 13' wide) and two east bound travel lanes (inside lane appoximately 10' wide and outside lane approximately 12' wide).
Staff Comments
The sidewalk extension will primarily function as a landscape/furniture zone and act as a buffer between the sidewalk space and the bike/travel lanes. When making public improvements, the guidelines recommend considering "pedestrians first, then transit, then the automobile in designing and developing downtown places". Additional guideline recommendations are listed after the following staff comments.

Additional comments:
1) Consider extending the bike lanes to the World's Fair Park Drive intersection. If not extended, the existing sharrows need to remain. Sharrows and pavement markings that indicate that cyclists may use the entire lane.
2) The taper at the end of the bike lanes are not needed and should be removed.
3) Add sharrows between the Clinch bridge and Henley Street for the east and west bound lanes. Consult the city's Alternative Transportation Engineer for appropriate locations.
4) Bike lanes are recommended by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) to be a minimum of 5' wide. The proposed design may feel tight considering there are concrete planters adjacent to the curb..
5) Consider a bench design that discourages laying down and potentially coordinate with those in World's Fair Park.
6) Consider an interim design strategy to test the design before fully committing to permanent improvements. This strategy is recommended by the National Association of City Transportation Officials in the "Urban Street Design Guide (2013)".
7) Consider installing trash and cigarette recepticles at the bench locations.

Applicable guidelines:

Section 1.A. (PUBLIC REALM AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS)
The public realm is composed of streets, sidewalks, and public open spaces. Public space is defined by development and supports a diversity of uses. It promotes transit use and pedestrian activity. It can be considered the outdoor room created by surrounding buildings.

Section 1.A.1. (PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST SAFETY)
Consider pedestrians first, then transit, then the automobile in designing and developing downtown places. Public utilities and streetscape amenities should be located to support safe, convenient, and unimpeded pedestrian flow. Due to the nature of the narrow downtown streets with low traffic speeds it is relatively safe to bike within the downtown area. However, bike lanes and greenways leading to downtown, and places to store bicycles once downtown should also be considered.

GUIDELINES:
1a. Prioritize pedestrian safety and comfort through public amenities, such as pedestrian-scale lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.
1b. Require sidewalks and crosswalks that are accessible to all and are aesthetically pleasing.
1d. Widen sidewalks to accommodate street trees and amenities with a minimum 5-foot clear pedestrian passage.
1e. Establish a furnishing zone in which the sidewalk furniture creates a buffer for pedestrians from vehicular traffic.
1f. Adopt standards for types of sidewalk furniture, like benches, trash receptacles, newspaper stands, etc.
1i. Provide safe bicycle connections to downtown and accommodate bicycle parking.
1j. Incorporate consistent, clearly marked bus and trolley stops and provide route schedules through signs or kiosks.

Section 1.A.4. (DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION)
Beautifying downtown can occur through many different elements including architecture, landscape architecture, horticulture, art, and performing art. These elements provide expressions of local history and culture. They contribute to local identity and unique qualities of downtown. Public spaces should be designed to include art and beautification.

GUIDELINES:
4a. Foster downtown beautification with landscaping and plantings, public art, and public open space.
4c. Plant street trees where possible. Choose tree planting locations that will not significantly alter the setting of, or harm the materials of historic buildings.
Applicant

McCarty Holsaple McCarty

Planning Staff
Mike Reynolds
Phone: 865-215-3827
Email: mike.reynolds@knoxplanning.org
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